There are some voices meant for big arenas, loud bands and blasting p.a. systems.

Then there’s Shelby Lynne, whose sweet Southern soulful sounds come into the room as easy as a warm springtime breeze.

She’s been so often compared with the great Dusty Springfield that she finally broke down and recorded an outstanding salute to the late singer with 2008’s “Just a Little Lovin’,” which focused on the lush, pop side of Lynne’s style.

“Tears, Lies and Alibis” is a far more intimate affair though and while nothing will probably ever match her 2000 masterpiece “I Am Shelby Lynne,” she sure comes close here.

It’s the singer’s first album on her own independent label, and though distributed by Fontana through the Universal Music Group, there’s a sense throughout that Lynne really been able to step out and savor the indie freedom. She initially recorded the album in her home studio in Rancho Mirage, Calif., and finished it at the Rendering Plant in Nashville.

Working with engineer Brian Harrison, she wrote all the songs, produced all the songs and yes, sang them exquisitely. “Alibi” in particular ranks with the finest songs she has ever recorded, taking a lot of old country cheating-song stereotypes and spinning them around in her totally distinctive fashion.

There’s gentle beauty in the extremely sparse “Like a Fool,” which just allows Lynne enough room to weave her vocal wonder around some very tasty piano work by Mark Jordan.

The disc starts off upbeat with the bright and light “Rains Came,” and there are surprises along the way – probably none more so than “Something to Be Said,” which details the singer’s love of Airstream campers. There’s Lennon-like primal anger flowing through “Family Tree,” some tough but tasty blues fire burning in “Old Dog,” and “Loser Dreamer,” is another major standout,’ a sweet and gentle tale of the difficulties that musicians in particular have in maintaining relationships. It’s something that’s part of a lot of artist’s lives, but Lynne sings it with the wispy, melancholy resignation.